On The Radar–Week 9

Ryan Torain, RB, Denver Broncos. For those of you who are looking for the guy who will light up the second half of the season, keep your eye on Ryan Torain. He had a good chance to make an impact this season before a preseason injury kept him out of the lineup. There is a good chance that he makes his 2008 debut this week, and with Selvin Young still out, and Pittman on the mend, Torain could get a real chance to prove his worth. The rookie from Arizona State collected 552 yards and 5 touchdowns in just six games. Keep your expectations in check for this first week, but Torain could have a major impact if given the chance in Denver.

Tim Hightower, RB, Arizona Cardinals. There have been rumors flying this week that Hightower can be replacing Edgerrin James as the starting running back in Arizona. Hightower has been used mostly as a short yardage option so far for the Cardinals, but he has proven to give them all that they have asked for. Given the chance to carry the ball 20 times, Hightower’s fantasy value could go up by a substantial margin, although I’m not sure that this guy has the tools to be an every down back. Keep an eye on the situation this week to see how the carries break down between Hightower and James.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens. Although Willis McGahee has been pretty good the past couple of weeks, the news here is that the rookie from Rutgers seems to have passed LeRon McClaine as the second back behind McGahee. Given the injury history that Willis carries, to have his backup isn’t a bad idea. Rice was an incredible college back, and had a pretty good game in Week 8 as he gained 64 yards on the ground and caught three passes for 37 more yards. Rice has the talent, and if he gets an opportunity he could impress.

James Hardy, WR, Buffalo Bills. The Bills defense isn’t exactly a high powered attack, but Trent Edwards can still air one out a few times a game. Well, the Bills second receiver, Josh Reed, suffered an injury last week and now this looks like the opportunity that James Hardy has been waiting for. Hardy has a ton of talent, and people were expecting big things coming into the season. Perhaps now is the time that he will start to live up to his expectations, but he has yet to have a decent game as a pro.

Ted Ginn, Jr. WR, Miami Dolphins. This isn’t the first time that Ginn Jr. has shown up on this list, but it certainly is the most warranted. Ginn had his best game in the NFL by a mile as he caught seven passes for 175 yards, but has yet to score a touchdown. Ginn has been very inconsistent throughout the season, but the whole Miami offense has been. If Ginn can form some sort of bond with quarterback Chad Pennington, his value will go through the roof as he has big time talent and is one of the faster guys in the league. He might have been scooped up in your league already, but if not, consider who you have on your roster to see if you have room, but if not watch the Dolphins game this week to see if Ginn does it again. I know, I know, nobody enjoys watching the Dolphins except for a select few people I know.

Leonard Weaver, RB, Seattle Seahawks. This will most likely lead to nowhere, but Weaver had the game of his career against the 49ers. Weaver turned two short passes into incredibly long touchdowns in an embarrassing win for the Seahawks. These passes were marred by bad routes to the ball carrier and even worse tackling, so I don’t see Weaver having anywhere near the same kind of game again, but he at least is worth tracking for another contest to see if the ‘Hawks plan to use Weaver in the same capacity.

Billy Miller, TE, New Orleans Saints. With the injury to Jeremy Shockey, the Saints had to turn to their second option at tight end. Lucky for them, Miller has proven to be a pretty good option in the passing game. Although Miller has yet to find the end zone, he has gained at least 50 yards in the last four weeks, and led the team in Week 8 catching seven balls for 82 yards. Miller and the Saints are on bye in Week 9, but when he returns he might be able to help your team.

Tyler Thigpen, QB, Kansas City Chiefs. Whether it has been Damon Huard, Brodie Croyle, or now Tyler Thigpen, the Kansas City passing game has been a total mess all season long. Well, in Week 8, the Chiefs passing attack finally showed a sign of life. Against the Jets, Thigpen threw for 280 yards and two scores, likely the most passing touchdowns thrown by a KC QB all season long. Now, I’m not saying Thigpen has turned the corner and is now worth a start. But if he has figured something out, with the options of Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez, Thigpen MIGHT be worth a look if you run into an injury problem and the rest of the decent starters have been scooped up.